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Embassies: Planning Permission

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 16 April 2025UIN 43486

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 35701 on Embassies: Planning Permission, whether local authorities can enforce against planning breaches by Embassies which operate under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, embassies and their staff are protected from the jurisdiction of the host country's courts. However, embassies are still expected to respect local laws and work cooperatively with local authorities to resolve any planning issues.

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